Blog Details

The FCPS (Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons) is one of the most esteemed postgraduate medical qualifications in Pakistan. For medical graduates planning to specialize, FCPS Part 1 is the first and most critical step—a foundation stone for your professional journey.

This blog covers everything you need to know about the FCPS Part 1 examination: from exam format, disciplines, and centers, to preparation strategies and specialty-specific tips.

🧾 What is FCPS Part 1?

FCPS Part 1 is a written exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge of basic medical sciences relevant to their chosen field of specialization. Passing this exam qualifies you to proceed toward FCPS Part 2 and eventually residency training in your selected specialty.

🩺 Disciplines Offered in FCPS Part 1

The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) conducts FCPS Part 1 examinations in the following disciplines:

1. Medicine & Allied

2. Surgery & Allied

3. Dentistry

4. Anaesthesia

5. Obstetrics & Gynecology

6. Ophthalmology

7. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

8. Pathology

9. Psychiatry

10. Community Medicine

11. Diagnostic Radiology

Each of these disciplines has unique subject weightage and paper-II content, which we will explain further below.

🗓️ FCPS Part 1 Exam Schedule

• The FCPS Part 1 exam is held three to four times a year, typically in:

  • February-March

  • April

  • September-October

  • November

• CPSP releases an annual schedule that includes dates for FCPS Part 1, Part 2, IMM, and MCPS exams.

• You may appear in a maximum of three attempts in a year.

Pro tip: Stay updated via the CPSP official website or authorized Facebook groups.

📍 Exam Centers

The FCPS Part 1 theory examination is conducted in authorized CPSP centers in the following cities:

• Karachi

• Quetta

• Hyderabad

• Larkana

• Multan

• Faisalabad

• Bahawalpur

• Islamabad

• Peshawar

• Abbottabad

• Muzaffarabad (AJK)

Choose the center nearest to you while applying through the CPSP portal.

🧪 Format of the Examination

🧾 Structure:

• Two papers: Paper I and Paper II

• Each paper contains 100 MCQs (One Best Answer type)

• 3 hours allocated for each paper

• No negative marking

• Passing Criteria: You must pass both papers separately, typically by scoring around 75% in each.

📝 Important Notes:

• Paper I is common for all specialties (General Basic Sciences)

• Paper II is specialty-specific, so prep books should align with your field

• Questions carry variable weightage based on difficulty (not all are worth the same)

❌ Common Myths Debunked:

• ❌ Negative marking for repeaters – Not true.

• ❌ Equal marks for all MCQs – Some are weighted more than others.

📚 Books and Preparation Strategy

📌 For Paper I (General Basic Sciences):

• Physiology: BRS Physiology / Guyton (selected topics)

• Anatomy: Snell’s Clinical Anatomy

• Biochemistry: Kaplan / Lippincott Biochem

• Pharmacology: Kaplan / Lippincott Pharm

• Pathology: BRS / Robbins Basic Pathology

• Microbiology & Immunology: Levinson / BRS Micro

🧠 Specialty-Specific Focus for Paper II

Here's what you should know based on your selected specialty:

🩺 Medicine & Allied

• Focus: Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Biochem

• Resources: BRS, Kaplan series, SK Pearls, First Aid USMLE

🧠 Surgery & Allied

• Focus: Clinical Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology

• Resources: Snell’s Anatomy, High-Yield Neuroanatomy, Asim & Shoaib

👶 Pediatrics

• Focus: Pediatric Physiology, Development, Microbiology

• Resources: Kaplan, Lippincott Pharm, Tawkir Pediatrics MCQs

👩‍⚕️ Gynae/Obs

• Focus: Reproductive Anatomy, Embryology, Endocrinology

• Resources: Kaplan Embryology, BRS Physiology, Obs/Gynae MCQ books

🦷 Dentistry

• Focus: Oral Anatomy, Dental Materials, Head & Neck Anatomy

• Resources: Woelfel’s, Phillips’, BRS Micro, Dental MCQs

🫁 Anaesthesia

• Focus: Anesthesia Pharmacology, Pulmonary/Cardiac Physiology

• Resources: Morgan & Mikhail (selected), Kaplan Pharm

🩻 Radiology

• Focus: Imaging Physics, Anatomy, Radiation Safety

• Resources: Huda’s Review of Radiologic Physics, Snell’s Anatomy

👁️ Ophthalmology

• Focus: Ocular Anatomy, Visual Pathways, Optics

• Resources: Parsons’ Diseases of the Eye, AK Khurana

👂 ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)

• Focus: ENT Anatomy, Physiology of Hearing/Balance

• Resources: Dhingra’s ENT, Snell's Anatomy (Head & Neck)

🧬 Pathology

• Focus: General & Systemic Pathology, Microbiology

• Resources: Robbins, Levinson, MCQs in Pathology

🧠 Psychiatry

• Focus: Neurotransmitters, Brain Anatomy, Pharmacology

• Resources: Kaplan Behavioral Science, DSM-V (overview)

🧑‍⚕️ Community Medicine

• Focus: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Preventive Medicine

• Resources: Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine

📖 Final Tips for Success

1. Start Early: Minimum 3–6 months of preparation

2. MCQs Daily: Solve 100–150/day from authentic books like SK Pearls, Asim & Shoaib

3. Revise Repeatedly: Focus on mistakes from previous attempts

4. Join Online Groups: Telegram/WhatsApp groups for discussion and updates

5. Take Mocks: Practice in 3-hour slots to build stamina

🧩 Conclusion

The FCPS Part 1 exam is not just a test of knowledge—it’s a test of smart preparation, time management, and discipline. Tailor your preparation according to your specialty, use recommended resources, and stay consistent. Whether you’re headed for medicine, surgery, or a focused specialty like radiology or community medicine, this is your first step toward becoming a specialist doctor in Pakistan.

💬 Need Help with a Custom Study Plan?

Drop your discipline and available study time in the comments or message—and we’ll help you design a specialty-specific timetable with resources.